''Harrad Summer'' is a 1974 film sequel to the 1973 film ''

The Harrad Experiment ''The Harrad Experiment'' is a 1973 coming-of-age film about a fictional school, named Harrad College, where the students learn about sexuality and experiment with each other. Based on the 1966 novel of the same name by Robert Rimmer, this fi ...

'', directed by

Steven Hilliard Stern Steven Hilliard Stern (November 1, 1937 – June 27, 2018) was a Canadian television and documentary director, producer and writer. Biography Stern attended Ryerson Institute of Technology and served in the Canadian Infantry before inauguratin ...

. The film follows Harrad College students Stanley, Sheila, Harry, and Beth as they spend summer vacation together to get to know their families.

Don Johnson Don Wayne Johnson (born December 15, 1949) is an American actor and singer-songwriter. He played the role of James "Sonny" Crockett in the 1980s television series '' Miami Vice'', for which he won a Golden Globe, and received a Primetime Emm ...

and

Bruno Kirby Bruno Kirby (born Bruno Giovanni Quidaciolu Jr.; April 28, 1949 – August 14, 2006) was an American actor. He was best known for his roles in '' City Slickers'', '' When Harry Met Sally...'', '' Good Morning, Vietnam'', ''The Godfather Part II'' ...

did not reprise their roles from the first film, while

James Whitmore James Allen Whitmore Jr. (October 1, 1921 – February 6, 2009) was an American actor. He received numerous accolades, including a Golden Globe Award, a Grammy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, a Theatre World Award, and a Tony Award, plus two Ac ...

's character did not appear and

Tippi Hedren Nathalie Kay "Tippi" Hedren (born January 19, 1930) is a retired American actress. Initially a fashion model, appearing on the front covers of ''Life'' and '' Glamour'' magazines (among others), she became an actress after being discovered by d ...

's role from the original film was played by

Emmaline Henry Emmaline Henry (November 1, 1928 – October 8, 1979) was an American actress best known for playing Amanda Bellows, the wife of Dr. Alfred Bellows, on the hit 1960s situation comedy ''I Dream of Jeannie''. Career Henry first appeared durin ...

Plot

Harrad Summer is a 1974 sequel to The Harrad Experiment, continuing the story of the students from Harrad College as they navigate their unconventional relationships during a summer vacation. The film picks up with the four main characters—Stanley, Sheila, Harry, and Beth—deciding to spend the summer together, traveling and exploring the outside world beyond the experimental environment of Harrad College. The group embarks on a road trip, hoping to put into practice the lessons they learned about love, sexuality, and relationships. As they travel, they encounter various situations that test their beliefs and challenge their commitment to the ideals of the Harrad experiment. Harry and Beth's relationship is put under strain as they confront the realities of jealousy and possessiveness, which were not as evident in the controlled environment of the college. Their bond is tested as they struggle to maintain the open and honest communication they had developed. Stanley and Sheila face their own set of challenges. Stanley's free-spirited nature begins to clash with Sheila's more traditional views, leading to tensions in their relationship. They meet other people along the way, each encounter forcing them to reassess their feelings for each other and the future of their relationship. The group also encounters external pressures from society, as their unconventional lifestyle is met with judgment and disapproval from others. This forces them to reflect on the viability of the Harrad experiment outside the college's supportive environment. As the summer progresses, the characters experience moments of personal growth and revelation, but also face the harsh realities of their differing expectations and desires. The film explores the complexities of maintaining open relationships and the emotional challenges that come with them. The film concludes with the group returning to Harrad College, each member having been changed by their experiences over the summer. Some relationships are strengthened, while others are left unresolved, reflecting the ongoing process of self-discovery and the uncertain future of their experiment in love and relationships

Cast

* Robert Reiser as Stanley Kolasukas * Laurie Walters as Sheila Grove * Richard Doran as Harry Schacht * Victoria Thompson as Beth Hillyer *

as Margaret Tonhausen *

Bill Dana William Szathmary (October 5, 1924 June 15, 2017), known as Bill Dana, was an American comedian, actor, and screenwriter. He often appeared on television shows such as The Steve Allen Show, frequently in the guise of a heavily accented Bolivian ...

as Jack Schacht *

Marty Allen Morton David Alpern (March 23, 1922 – February 12, 2018), better known as Marty Allen, was an American comedian, actor, and philanthropist. He worked as a comedy headliner in nightclubs, as a dramatic actor in television roles, and was once c ...

as Bert Franklin *

Walter Brooke Walter Brooke (born Gustav William Tweer Jr., October 23, 1914 – August 20, 1986) was an American actor. Career Brooke's film career stretched from ''You're in the Army Now'' (1941) to '' Jagged Edge'' (1985). One of his best-remembered roles ...

as Sam Grove

External links

* * 1974 films 1970s teen drama films American teen drama films American sequel films Films set in Massachusetts Films directed by Steven Hilliard Stern Films scored by Patrick Williams (composer) Cinerama Releasing Corporation films 1974 drama films 1970s English-language films 1970s American films {{1970s-US-film-stub